Four Things You Cannot Do Without

In this life, there are a great many things that we need. There are also a great many things that we do not need.

It is the job of advertisers to make people think they need whatever product they are trying to move. I knew a salesman once who was so good that he could, if it were possible, sell a pair of alligator boots to an alligator.

Of all the things we need, or think we need, there are but a few things that we absolutely cannot do without.

The Blood

In Hebrews 9:22, we are told that “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.” This is a Biblical principle. It is not negotiable.

There is a penalty for sin, and it is death. If we want our sins blotted out, and if we want to have everlasting life, blood atonement must be made. But it cannot be just any blood, it has to be the blood of a spotless lamb (Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 23:12) — the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29-36; 1 Peter 1:19-21).

Our Lord Jesus Christ was that spotless Lamb, and the blood that He shed on the cross is the only means by which we may be forgiven of our sins, our only hope of obtaining everlasting life. It is precious beyond words, and you absolutely cannot do without it.

Holiness

Once we receive the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him in baptism and have that precious blood applied, we are to grow in Christ and move on to maturity.

Hebrews 12:14 says: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

The subject of personal holiness is not a popular one in this evil generation, but it too is something that we cannot do without.

There are a great many people who have had their sins forgiven through the precious blood of Christ, but who have never moved on to maturity in Christ.

The word holiness, kodesh in Hebrew, means simply ‘apartness.’ We are to seek holiness, or, ‘apartness’ in our Christian walk. We are to stay separate from the things of the world — those things that would cause us to stumble in our walk with Christ — and seek only those things which would build us up in our walk with Christ and enhance our fellowship with Him.

Be on your guard against worldly things that would defile and corrupt you. Those things may have their pleasures for a season, but in the end, they are full of sorrow, emptiness and regret. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” I John 2:15-17

Faith

Faith is also something you cannot do without. We read in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. It goes on to explain that” he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Do not think that you will receive anything from God if you do not have faith.

Do you believe God at His Word? Do you believe Him so much that you would hang your life on what He says?

I heard an old story about a famous tightrope walker who was preparing to walk over Niagara Falls. He asked those spectators who were gathered there if they thought he could make it across. They all cheered and said they believed he could. He then asked those same people if any of them would like to ride on his shoulders as he walked across. For some reason there were no takers.

Most of us would agree that God can do anything, but when it comes right down to trusting Him to get us through the tough spots in life, we act as though we are not sure if He can do it.

Trust Him. He is there, and you can depend on Him. If you will just lean on Him, He will get you through every difficulty in life.

Abide in Christ

Finally, we read in John 15:5: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

You absolutely cannot do without the abiding presence of Christ in your life. Abide in Him: seek His Face and His Will in everything that you do; for without Him, we are weak and helpless and can do nothing.

This life is but a mist. Just ask anyone in their twilight years, and they will tell you — it goes by so fast. Don’t waste your time on temporal things that are here today and gone tomorrow.

Meditate on Christ and His Holy Word, and seek His abiding presence in your life daily — and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.